135 results about "Medication Distribution" patented technology

This invention provides a system and method for dispensing medication and a dispensing apparatus that comprises a plurality of compartments in an array within a housing, the compartments having respective lids, each of the lids being movable from a closed position to an open position, the respective lids each having a latch that secures the lid in a locked configuration in the closed position. The apparatus has an actuator mechanism that selectively unlocks the latch of each of the lids at a predetermined time so as to place the unlocked lid in an unlocked configuration that enables the lid to be moved to the open position. The compartments of the medication dispenser each receive a removable cup therein that is accessible when a respective of the lids associated therewith is in the open position. Other features, such as communication and messaging and/or audible/visual displays can also be provided.

A medication dispensing system including a filling apparatus, a dispensing apparatus and a refillable canister having a plurality of dosage compartments. The canister may be releasably mountable on the filling apparatus and the dispensing apparatus. The canister may further includes a tamper-prevention apparatus adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the canister. The medication dispensing system may also include a control apparatus that controls filling of medication into and egress of medication out of the dosage compartments.

A drug distribution system and method utilizes a central pharmacy and database to track all prescriptions for a sensitive drug. Information is kept in the database regarding all physicians allowed to prescribe the sensitive drug, and all patients receiving the drug. Abuses are identified by monitoring data in the database for prescription patterns by physicians and prescriptions obtained by patients. Further verification is made that the physician is eligible to prescribe the drug by consulting a separate database, and optionally whether any actions are taken against the physician. Multiple controls beyond those for normal drugs are imposed on the distribution depending on the sensitivity of the drug.

A computerized medication dispensing station that addresses anesthesia medication management and tracking problems is disclosed. Medications, including narcotic and non-narcotic, and supplies for use in anesthesia, are stored in secured, semi-secured, and unsecured containers of a mobile station. A computer housed in the station is used to track the anesthesiology items that have been removed from the station. For each item removed, the time of removal, who removed it, and to whom it was administered is tracked. Items that are not administered to a patient are returned to the pharmacy or wasted (i.e., disposed in accordance with regulations). Each type of event (administration to a patient, return, or waste) is documented so that a health care institution can track usage of items, including narcotic medications, for use in anesthesia.

Secure methods of distributing and prescribing prescription medications and related systems significantly increase prescription medication distribution security. Applications of the present invention are particularly useful in prescribing and distributing lifestyle drugs where an actual physical examination is not necessarily required, but are similarly useful for all prescription medications. A system configured according to a particular embodiment of the present invention involves a prescription request kiosk, a prescription request review terminal, a medical information database, and a pharmacy all associated with a prescription distribution system processor. Particular embodiments of prescriptions of the present invention include a photograph of a prescription requestor on the prescription for added security along with additional follow-up questions to be asked by the pharmacist to the customer. Requestors initiate prescription requests by answering a plurality of questions related specifically to the prescription medications requested.

A usage status notification method and corresponding medication storage device (e.g., mobile medication dispensing cart, medication cabinet, nurse server, etc.) are provided. To generate the usage status notification, the status of one or more components of the medication storage device may be monitored. An in-use notification signal may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is in use at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is logged into the medication storage device). An available notification signal may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is available for use at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is logged out of the medication storage device). Other types of usage status signals may also be provided.

A method for identifying medical diverters includes identifying users having similar job functions. Use data indicative of user access to a medication dispensing system is retrieved and is analyzed to identify periods of use of the system for users. Boundaries of work shifts are determined and users are organized into work shifts based on periods of use. A comparison period is determined. Diversion data indicative of behavior associated with diversion for each user is identified. A diversion score indicative of a likelihood that a user is diverting medication is generated by averaging the data by shifts worked for each user and statistically comparing the averaged data. Diversion scores are combined for a medication type to generate a group score. A consistency factor is determined and an overall score is generated. A determination whether any overall scores exceed an overall threshold is made. Users whose score exceeds the threshold are flagged.

An intake to exit security system for high-volume pharmacies provides maximum security from tampering and assures accuracy. The system immediately assigns bar codes to shipments upon arrival and then tracks them through warehousing, bulk distribution, prescription dispensing and shipping to patients, hospitals and drugstores. Bar-coded lock neck devices secure bulk drug canisters to bar-coded dispensing machines at specified dispensing stations where the machines dispense drugs into pre-labeled prescription bottles according to prescription indicia on the labels. Bottles then undergo content analysis and certification before packaged and shipped to customers. A Ramon laser spectral analysis contrasts the bottle contents to a library of known spectral signatures of drugs, and the pharmacist is alerted to any detected difference. A simultaneously captured visual image of the pills enables the pharmacist visually to compare the contents to a library of known visual appearances of the drugs. Both analyses are recorded for prescriptions certified and forwarded to customers. Deviations are excised without disrupting flow of other prescriptions, and the system automatically reassigns an incorrectly filled prescription to another bottle which starts anew through the system. Full bottles of commonly used drugs and specialized containers for irregularly shaped objects, creams and ointments may be pre-filled and inventoried for later collation with prescription bottles at the packaging and shipping stage.

An automated medication dispensing system provides for triggering a medication administration message when an inferred event is detected for which a medication administration message is to be sent. The event might be the start, the beginning, or an anticipation of a start, of an eating event, detected by an event detection module from gestures of a user from a set of sensor readings. The message can be a signal to medication dispensing apparatus, and/or a reminder message to the user, an ancillary message to a caregiver, health professional, or others. The medication administration message might comprise a signal to an input of an insulin management system or an input of a meal-aware artificial pancreas. The events might also include a drinking event, a smoking event, a personal hygiene event, and/or a medication related event.

Disclosed is a multi-compartment drug dispensing device, for dispensing multiple medications to a patient. The device includes a plurality of compartments, for holding a plurality of drugs. Each compartment is separately labeled with information relevant for the contents of that compartment. The compartments may be associated into groups, corresponding to the desired administration protocol. Groups of compartments may be arranged on a strip, and multiple strips may be provided in a container such as a dispensing box, to provide a system for dispensing multiple drugs per day, over a course of multiple days. Methods are also disclosed.

A remote monitoring of the daily dispensing of prescription drugs by at-home care, an elderly or clinical trial patient is proposed. The system consists of a dispensing unit equipped with weight sensing mechanism such as scale or balance which communicates with the monitoring application residing in the wireless terminal, such as cellular phone over the Personal Area Network (PAN) wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth. The monitoring application provides supervision over the medication dispensing process as well as communication with unauthorized medical supervisor using wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) connection to the Internet.

A comprehensive organizational system for managing medical records for an individual patient and a method for managing the dispensation of multiple medications. The method includes a set of symbols indicating the time of day the medication should be administered in accordance with the prescription instructions and a storage system for duplicate prescription labels corresponding to the prescription labels on the prescription containers. The dosage schedule and amount are translated into the symbols which are applied to each duplicate prescription label. Medications are dispensed to the patient in accordance with the symbols applied to the duplicate prescription labels.

The invention provides a pillbox comprising a plurality of pill receiving compartments detachably connected with one another in side-by-side relation to form a unitary structure, each of the compartments being constructed to store pills to be taken at a single predetermined time and have an opening which is covered by a cover and through which 5 the compartment is accessible; wherein the unitary structure is configured such that the plurality of compartments are arranged sequentially according to a medication schedule created according to a prescription, with the compartment storing the pills to be taken first as an outermost one, and that only the opening of the outermost compartment is permitted to be uncovered all the time, and wherein the outermost compartment is removed from the 10 unitary structure after the pills contained therein are taken. The invention also provides a medication management system and a mediation dispensing system based on the pillbox.

An automated drug dispensing system comprising a finding subsystem (4) for picking and finding drug packages (38), said finding subsystem (4) being arranged to deliver the packages (38) to a labeling station (6 ), the labeling station (6) includes a label printer (18) arranged to print a label (36), and a label applicator subsystem (22) to apply the label (36) to the package (38), The label includes patient-specific information for using the drug package (38); the system also includes a delivery subsystem (8) for transporting the package from the labeling station to a point of user access. The label applicator may apply labels (36) in a manner that is dimensionally determined by the package (38), such as at a predetermined location, a predetermined orientation, or in two discrete planes across the package (38).

An interactive character associated with a metered dose inhaler that includes a medication dispensing canister and a canister holder. The interactive character includes a base portion adapted to be coupled to a canister such that actuation of the canister to dispense a medication requires providing an actuating force on the base portion. An interactive element is coupled to the base portion so that it that activates in a manner that is readily perceived by humans. The interactive element is actuated by an actuating system responsive to the actuating force being applied to the base portion to actuate the canister.

Systems and methods for facilitating electronic prescriptions and the dispensation of medications subject to prior authorization and/or adherence to a pre-established formulary. A web-based interactive system is established whereby all entities responsible for the prescription event, namely, the prescribing physician, pharmacist/pharmacy and payer/authorizing entity are kept in direct communication with one another via a conventional, secure communications link. All pertinent information regarding the prescription, as well as the patient, is made available to all entities and further, all information associated with a particular formulary is uploaded and made available to the prescribing physician and pharmacist for quick reference as the whether or not a given medication is preapproved. The systems and methods of the present invention are exceptionally effective and efficient, and can be readily utilized with all medications designated as either Part B or Part D per the United States' Medicare healthcare administration system.

A unique medication distribution system for compliance packaging of medications, designed to contain each individual's unique daily medications and supplements and enhance the timely administration of the medications. The production and distribution of the system is automated and highly integrated with the database software as well as business software managed and operated by a pharmacy. The system comprises of a card made up of plastic, paper or composite materials with blister components containing the medication. The card can be bipartite or multipartite according to the medication needs of a user, with foldable side panels. An array of the timing corresponding to each medication is printed on the card. Corresponding to each medication is also an array listing the name of the doctor, the name of the medication and the rationale for its administration. A side panel may have sleeves or pockets containing salves, ointments, patches, lotions or milks, when prescribed to the user. A side panel may be customized to advertising targeting the market defined by individuals who take several medications in a day.